Environmentally friendly electric toothbrush

Thomas_Holding

Are these really much better for the environment they still have electrics?

Any recommendations? How long do they last? I find some electric toothbrushes only last a few months and I only use them twice a day.

Glad

I'm also not convinced an "environmentally friendly" electric toothbrush is necessarily that environmentally friendly when it still contains a rechargeable battery, electronics and other materials that eventually need disposing of.

If environmental impact is the main consideration, a manual toothbrush with a replaceable head may actually be the better option. I've read that electric toothbrushes can have a higher environmental impact than manual alternatives.

If you do prefer electric, I'd concentrate more on buying a decent one that will last for years, with readily available replacement heads. Having to replace the whole toothbrush every few months certainly isn't environmentally friendly! and I'd expect a reasonable quality one to last considerably longer than that.

Saying all of that I use an oral B electric, one for the household with individual heads, usually 3 of us here and the latest one has lasted about 6 years

QrizB

When you say "I find some electric toothbrushes only last a few months" are you referring to the replaceable head? Or to the entire toothbrush including the handle, battery, motor etc?

The head is meant to be replaced regularly but the handle should last for years. Mine was a hand-me-down from my wife when she bought a fancier one; I've had it now since 2022, so it's probably seen six or seven years of twice-daily use.

Ectophile

If you want environmentally friendly, clean your teeth with a twig.

Even the cheap Nevadent electric toothbrushes from Lidl last for a few years. The brushes need replacing regularly though, whatever brand of toothbrush you buy.